Reimagining Morocco

Negotiating Tradition and Modernity in Moroccan Anglophone Narratives

Abstract

This comparative study examines the representation of Moroccan cultural identity in Moroccan Anglophone fiction through a focused analysis of three influential works: Saeida Rouass' Assembly of the Dead (2017), Wafa Faith Hallam's 'The Road from Morocco' (2011), and Laila Lalami's The Moors Account (2014). Drawing upon theories of hybridity and cultural identity, diaspora and transnationalism, this research explores the ways in which these authors navigate the complexities of Moroccan identity within the English-language literary sphere. Through a close reading of themes, characters, and narrative techniques employed in these novels, the study investigates how the writers engage with notions of tradition, migration, displacement, and the search for a sense of belonging. By critically analyzing the interplay between Moroccan cultural heritage and the globalized world, this paper offers insights into the diverse ways in which Moroccan Anglophone fiction portrays and reimagines the multifaceted layers of Moroccan identity. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how these writers negotiate the complexities of cultural representation and offers valuable perspectives on the intersection of literature, identity, and the changing dynamics of Moroccan society.